Ranji Trophy: Shardul Thakur rescues Mumbai with maiden FC century
Mumbai star all-rounder Shardul Thakur delivered with the bat on Day 2 against Tamil Nadu in the 2024 Ranji Trophy semi-finals. Shardul played a blazing knock to bring up his maiden century in First-Class cricket. He reached the milestone in only 89 balls. His knock helped Mumbai earn a handsome first-innings lead. Mumbai were 275/8 when Shardul reached his hundred.
A fiery knock from Shardul Thakur
Shardul walked into the middle when Mumbai were 106/7 and were in a spot of bother. He started counter-attacking and added 100 runs with Hardik Tamore. After the latter was dismissed, Shardul continued his exploits with Tanush Kotian as they together guided Mumbai's total beyond the 290-run mark. He was eventually dismissed for 109 from 104 balls by Kuldeep Sen.
A look at his FC numbers
Playing his 81st First-Class match, Shardul has amassed 1,874 runs at an average of around 17. Apart from his maiden century, he has also hammered 11 fifties in red-ball cricket. Shardul has featured in 11 Tests for India, scoring 331 runs courtesy of four fifties. His previous highest in FC cricket was 87. The 32-year-old has also claimed 260 FC wickets.
Shardul shines with a strike rate of 104.81 versus TN
Shardul owned a strike rate of 104.81. He smashed 13 fours and four sixes. Playing his fourth match for Mumbai in the ongoing tournament, Shardul scored 11 and 31 versus Chhattisgarh, 2 versus Assam before managing 17 and 10 versus Baroda.
Brilliant opening spell from Shardul versus TN
Earlier in the match, Thakur gave Mumbai a dream start when he dismissed Sai Sudharsan in the very first over. He kept bowling in the right channels and gave nothing away. He was finally rewarded for his good work when he removed the well-settled Vijay Shankar. Shardul finished with figures of 2/48. Meanwhile, Tushar Deshpande claimed 3/24 and was the pick of the bowlers.
A look at Shardul's wickets in 2024 Ranji Trophy campaign
Shardul has only featured in four matches in the 2024 Ranji Trophy campaign, claiming 13 wickets at an average of 18.3. He has scalped a fifer and a four-wicket haul. He returned with 0/77 against Chhattisgarh followed by 6/21 and 4/31 versus Assam. He claimed 1/48 and 0/13 against Baroda in the preceding match. As mentioned above, he claimed a brace in this match.
Kotian shows his mettle with a fine stand alongside Shardul
Kotian managed a 79-run partnership with Shardul. It was a gutsy approach as he played second fiddle, allowing Shardul to take the upper hand. Kotian has already surpassed his fifty and is going strong. Kotian has amassed 450-plus runs from nine matches in the 2024 Rani Trophy. He owns six fifty-plus scores. He also owns 20 wickets this season.
